485 Adjudicating Claims for Sole-Survivor or 5-Point Preference

485.1 Verifying Entitlement

The veteran must present a copy of the appropriate DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or if the employee served after August 20, 2009, DD 214 member 4 copy, showing length and character of service. As verification of eligibility for the preference claimed, all applicants who have been separated from active duty in the Armed Forces should be able to produce a DD Form 214, DD 214 member 4 copy, or other certification issued by the branch of service.

The adjudicator verifies entitlement for sole-survivor or 5-point preference by reviewing the DD Form 214, DD 214 member 4 copy, or other certification. The adjudicator determines whether the veteran meets the criteria in 483.1 and 483.2, and approves or denies the claim.

If a claim for 5 points is denied, the 5 points are removed, but the applicant remains eligible for consideration for the announced vacancy. An applicant claiming veterans’ preference who is still on active duty will be granted 5-point preference if the following apply:

The certification shows the applicant is expected to be discharged or released within 120 days; and
The application shows that the applicant has the required military service, such as service in a war, campaign, or expedition.

485.2 Campaign or Expeditionary Medal

When a campaign or expeditionary medal is required, a veteran’s DD Form 214, or DD 214 member 4 copy showing the award of an Armed Forces campaign or expeditionary medal is acceptable proof. The Postal Service does not require that the DD Form 214 show the name of the theater or country of service for which that medal was awarded.

Note: The Armed Forces Service Medal is not qualifying for veterans’ preference. (Exhibit 485) contains a complete list of campaigns and expeditions. The list is from information on “Vet Guide for HR Professionals” on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s website https://www.opm.gov.)

Exhibit 485

Veterans’ Preference-Qualifying Wars, Campaigns, and Expeditions of the Armed Forces

War Service Creditable for Veterans’ Preference:

In the absence of statutory definition for war and campaign or expedition, OPM considers to be wars only those armed conflicts for which a declaration of war was issued by Congress. The title 38, U.S.C., definition of period of war, which is used in determining benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, includes the Vietnam Era and other armed conflicts. That title 38 definition is not applicable for civil-service purposes.

Thus, the last war for which active duty is qualifying for veterans’ preference is World War II. The inclusive dates for World War II service are December 7, 1941, through April 28, 1952. Noncombat Operations That Are Not Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference:

Many medals are awarded for noncombat operations. These medals are not a basis for preference and include the following:

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for service from September 11, 2001, to date to be determined.
The Medal of Merit for meritorious service in World War II.
The Medal of Freedom for meritorious achievements or meritorious service to the United States on or after December 7, 1941, in the war against an enemy outside the continental limits of the United States.
The Antarctica Service Medal for participating in a scientific, direct support, or exploratory operation on the Antarctic Continent.
The National Defense Service Medal for honorable service between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954, or January 1, 1961, and August 14, 1974; or for the period between August 2, 1990, and November 30, 1995.
The Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a United States military operation deemed to be a significant activity for which there was no threat of encounter of foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal for 10 years of honorable service in a Reserve component; or active duty service in a Reserve component on or after August 1, 1990; or volunteer service for active duty on or after August 1, 1990.

Military Operations Since 1937 for Which a Campaign or Expeditionary Medal Has Been Awarded, Except for Operations Occurring During a Declared War.

Military personnel receive many awards and decorations. To help agencies make decisions concerning entitlement to veterans’ preference and other benefits, the following list identifies those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, whether listed here or not, is qualifying for veterans’ preference. The U.S. Department of Defense, not OPM, determines who is entitled to receive a medal, and under what circumstances.

The list below is derived from DOD 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. A veteran’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge or Separation from Active Duty, or other official documents issued by the branch of service are required as verification of eligibility for veterans’ preference.

Qualifying Campaigns and Expeditions for Veterans’ Preference

Campaign or Expedition	Inclusive Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) A veteran’s DD Form 214 showing the award of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is acceptable proof. It is not required that the DD Form 214 show the name of the theater or country of service for which that medal was awarded.	N/A
Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)	September 11, 2001, to present
Afghanistan (Operation Iraqi Freedom)	March 19, 2003, to August 31, 2010
Berlin	August 14, 1961, to June 1, 1963
Bosnia (Operations Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge)	November 20, 1995, to December 20, 1996; December 20, 1996, to June 20, 1998; June 21, 1998 to present
Cambodia	March 29, 1973, to August 15, 1973
Cambodia Evacuation (Operation Eagle Pull)	April 11, 1975, to April 13, 1975
Congo	July 14, 1960, to September 1, 1962, and November 23, 1964, to November 27, 1964
Cuba	October 24, 1962, to June 1, 1963
Dominican Republic	April 28, 1965, to September 21, 1966
El Salvador	January 1, 1981, to February 1, 1992
Global War on Terrorism	September 11, 2001, to present
Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury)	October 23, 1983, to November 21, 1983
Haiti (Operation Uphold Democracy)	September 16, 1994, to March 31, 1995
Iraq (Operation Northern Watch)	January 1, 1997, to present
Iraq (Operation Desert Spring)	December 31, 1998, to December 31, 2002 (projected)
Iraq (Operation Enduring Freedom)	September 11, 2001, to present
Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom)	March 19, 2003, to August 31, 2010
Korea	October 1, 1966, to June 30, 1974
Kosovo	March 24, 1999, to present
Laos	April 19, 1961, to October 7, 1962
Lebanon	July 1, 1958, to November 1, 1958, and June 1, 1983, to December 1, 1987
Mayaguez Operation	May 15, 1975, to May 15, 1975
Operations in the Libyan Area (Operation Eldorado Canyon)	April 12, 1986, to April 17, 1986
Panama (Operation Just Cause)	December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990
Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Earnest Will)	July 24, 1987, to August 1, 1990
Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Southern Watch)	December 1, 1995, to present
Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel)	December 1, 1995, to February 1, 1997
Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Desert Thunder)	November 11, 1998, to December 22, 1998
Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Desert Fox)	December 16, 1998, to December 22, 1998
Persian Gulf Intercept Operation	December 1, 1995, to present
Quemoy and Matsu Islands	August 23, 1958, to June 1, 1963
Somalia (Operations Restore Hope and United Shield)	December 5, 1992, to March 31, 1995
Taiwan Straits	August 23, 1958, to January 1, 1959
Thailand	May 16, 1962, to August 10, 1962
Vietnam Evacuation (Operation Frequent Wind)	April 29, 1975, to April 30, 1975
Vietnam (including Thailand)	July 1, 1958, to July 3, 1965
Note: Section 572 of Subtitle G of the Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85), signed into law on November 18, 1997, allows the secretary of the military department concerned to determine whether individual members who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in such other areas in the region as the U.S. Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, meet the individual service requirements for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). Generally, service members will be considered eligible if they: Were deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina (or another area that the U.S. Secretary of Defense considers appropriate) in direct support of one or both the operations; Served on board a ship in the Adriatic in direct support of one or both the operations; or Operated in airspace above Bosnia, Herzegovina (or another area that the U.S. Secretary of Defense considers appropriate) while the operations were in effect.

Navy Expeditionary Medal and Marine Corps Medal for These Operations

Other Qualifying Campaign and Service Medals Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference

Campaign or Expedition	Inclusive Dates
Army Occupation of Austria	May 9, 1945, to July 27, 1955
Army Occupation of Berlin	May 9, 1945, to October 2, 1990
Army Occupation of Germany (exclusive of Berlin)	May 9, 1945, to May 5, 1955
Army Occupation of Japan	September 3, 1945, to April 27, 1952
Chinese Service Medal (Extended)	September 2, 1945, to April 1, 1957
Korean Defense Service Medal	July 28, 1954, to (date to be determined)
Korean Service	June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Allied Force	March 24, 1999, to June 10, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Joint Guardian	June 11, 1999, to (date to be determined)
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Allied Harbor	April 4, 1999, to September 1, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Sustain Hope/ Shining Hope	April 4, 1999, to July 10, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Noble Anvil	March 24, 1999, to July 20, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Hawk	April 5, 1999, to June 24, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Saber	March 31, 1999, to July 8, 1999
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Falcon	June 11, 1999, to (date to be determined)
Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Hunter	April 1, 1999, to November 1, 1999
Navy Occupation of Austria	May 8, 1945, to October 25, 1954
Navy Occupation of Trieste	May 8, 1945, to October 25, 1954
Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm)	August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995
Units of the Sixth Fleet (Navy)	May 9, 1945, to October 25, 1955
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM)	July 4, 1965, to March 28, 1973
Rwanda (Operation Distant Runner)	April 7, 1994, to April 18, 1994
Thailand	May 16, 1962, to August 10, 1962